By Only Players Staff
Updated 8/26/24 3:16am ET
The betting markets are seemingly reacting to the latest headline in a tight race for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
San Diego Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill is back as the favorite with -180 odds at FanDuel, following his game-winning walk-off home run on Sunday. The 21-year-old now has five game-tying or go-ahead dingers in the ninth inning or later this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes had assumed the favorite status on Thursday, following his stellar outing against the Cincinnati Reds. The righty pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out nine.
In early August, Skenes held odds in the neighborhood of -6000, considering he was the second-favorite in the NL Cy Young race and had started the All-Star Game. But Merrill’s late-game heroics catapulted him up the betting board and we now seemingly have a race that will come down to the final weekend.
Photo Courtesy: Icon Sportswire
